Rumors Of Violence At High School Spread On Facebook

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. (STMW) – The principal at Eisenhower High School said Friday postings on Facebook that sparked several rumors of violent scenarios at the school were unfounded.

No one was stabbed. No kid got drunk and crashed into cars.And no gangs fought, either, the principal said responding to violent postings on Facebook he called “rumors.”

A bout of yelling earlier in the week in the hall between two boys fighting over a girl started the ball rolling, Gary Rauch said.

One mentioned a weapon. The school investigated and found nothing. But in the crowded hallway, the texts and Facebook posts already had begun, Rauch said.

Students in all four grades jumped on. A parent got wind of the posts and called Blue Island police, who, Rauch said, arrested the student making the threats.

Another Facebook page sprang up, calling on students to mess up the school. Police showed up at that kid’s house. The page disappeared.

By Friday, Eisenhower had to send out a phone blast to every student’s home, dismissing the rumors. Parents of involved students were called in for an afternoon meeting to discuss disciplinary measures to be taken against their children. A lot of those students, he said, had taken the day off.

Two extra Blue Island police officers staffed the school.

Meanwhile, more parents heard the rumors and showed up to take their children home.

“It’s disappointing,” he said, “that just a handful of students can cause this much disruption.”